Toner container, toner container assembling method, process cartridge, and electrophotographic image forming apparatus

- Canon

A toner container for containing toner to be used for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member by a developing device, usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge containing the photosensitive member and the developing device includes: a first frame having a toner supply opening for supplying the toner to the developing device and a mounting portion for mounting a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in the toner container; a second frame coupled with the first frame and having an outward projection without interference with a rotational region of the stirring member; wherein the toner container is formed by coupling the first frame and second frame.

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Claims

1. A toner container for containing toner to be used for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member by developing means, usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge containing said photosensitive member and said developing means, said container comprising:

a first frame having a toner supply opening for supplying the toner to said developing means and a mounting portion for mounting a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in said toner container; and
a second frame coupled with said first frame and having an outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member mounted to said mounting portion,
wherein said toner container is formed by coupling said first frame and second frame.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein said first frame has a mounting surface for mounting thereto said second frame, said mounting surface being inclined at approximately 20-40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically.

3. A container according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member, for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein said transmission member has a coupling having an end engageable with said stirring member and another end engageable with a coupling for receiving a driving force from a gear, and wherein said stirring member includes a metal rod.

5. A container according to claim 3, wherein said first frame has a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening, and wherein said toner filling opening is closed by a cap for hermetically sealing the filling opening.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein said first frame has a connecting portion for connection with a developing frame supporting a developing roller of said developing means, in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening.

7. A container according to claims 1 or 6, wherein said first frame has a seal mounting portion for mounting a toner seal for openably sealing the toner supply opening, in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening.

8. A container according to claims 1 or 7, wherein said first frame has recesses, extending in the longitudinal direction of said first frame, for gripping said process cartridge, and wherein said recesses facilitate mounting and demounting of said process cartridge relative to the main assembly.

9. A container according to claims 1 or 8, wherein said outward portion is arcuate, and is provided adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame, and said outward portion extends in a longitudinal direction of said second frame, and the depth of the outward portion is approximately 2.0-10.0 mm.

10. A container according to claims 1 or 9, wherein said first frame and second frame are coupled by bonding with a bonding material, a snap ring, a snap fitting, or welding.

11. A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
developing means for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive member; and
a toner container for containing toner to be used for developing the latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive member by said developing means, said toner container including a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in said toner container, a first frame having a toner supply opening for supplying the toner to said developing means, a mounting portion mounting said stirring member, and a second frame coupled with said first frame and having an outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member,
wherein said toner container is formed by coupling said first frame and second frame.

12. A process cartridge according to claim 11, wherein said first frame has a mounting surface for mounting thereto said second frame, said mounting surface being inclined at approximately 20-40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically.

13. A process cartridge according to claims 11 or 12, wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member, for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated.

14. A process cartridge according to claim 13, wherein said transmission member has a coupling having an end engaged with said stirring member and another end engaged with a coupling for receiving a driving force from a gear, and wherein said stirring member includes a metal rod.

15. A process cartridge according to claim 13, wherein said first frame has a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening, and wherein said toner filling opening is closed by a cap for hermetically sealing the filling opening.

16. A process cartridge according to claim 15, wherein said first frame has a connecting portion in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening, and wherein a developing frame supporting a developing roller of said developing means is connected with said connecting portion.

17. A process cartridge according to claims 11 or 16, wherein said first frame has a seal mounting portion in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening, and a toner seal for openably sealing the toner supply opening is mounted to said seal mounting portion, and wherein said toner seal is removable prior to start of use of said process cartridge to open said toner supply opening.

18. A process cartridge according to claims 11 or 17, wherein said first frame has, recesses, extending in the longitudinal direction of said first frame, for gripping said process cartridge, and wherein said recess facilitates mounting or demounting of said process cartridge relative to the main assembly.

19. A process cartridge according to claims 11 or 18, wherein said outward portion is arcuate, and is provided adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame, and said outward portion extends in a longitudinal direction of said second frame, and the depth of the outward portion is approximately 2.0-10.0 mm.

20. A process cartridge according to claims 11 or 19, wherein said first frame and second frame are coupled by bonding with a bonding material, a snap ring, a snap fitting, or welding.

21. A process cartridge according to claim 11, further comprising a charging member for charging said photosensitive member.

22. A process cartridge according to claims 11 or 21, further comprising a cleaning member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive member.

23. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, said apparatus comprising:

(a) mounting means for detachably mounting thereon a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive member; developing means for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive member; a toner container for containing toner to be used for developing the latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive member by said developing means, said toner container including a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in said toner container, a first frame having a toner supply opening for supplying the toner to said developing means, a mounting portion for mounting said stirring member, and a second frame coupled with said first frame and having an outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member, wherein said toner container is formed by coupling said first frame and second frame; and
(b) feeding means for feeding the recording material.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said image forming apparatus includes a laser beam printer.

25. A method of assembling a toner container, for containing toner to be used for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member by developing means, usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge containing said photosensitive member and said developing means, comprising the steps of:

preparing a first frame having a toner supply opening for supplying the toner to said developing means and a mounting portion for mounting a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in said toner container;
preparing a second frame having an outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member; and
coupling said first frame and second frame to form said toner container.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein said first frame has a mounting surface for mounting thereto said second frame, said mounting surface being inclined at approximately 20-40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically, and wherein said toner container is assembled by mounting said second frame to said mounting surface.

27. A method according to claims 25 or 26, wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member, for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated, and wherein said transmission member is mounted to said transmission opening.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein said transmission member has a coupling having an end engageable with said stirring member and another end engageable with a coupling for receiving a driving force from a gear, and wherein said stirring member includes a metal rod.

29. A method according to claim 27, wherein said first frame has a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening, and wherein said toner filling opening is closed by a cap for hermetically sealing the filling opening after the toner is filled.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein said first frame has a connecting portion for connection with the developing means having a developing roller, in a same direction as a surface having said toner supply opening, and wherein said first frame has a seal mounting portion for mounting a toner seal for openably sealing the toner supply opening, the toner seal being mounted to the seal mounting portion prior to filling the toner.

31. A method according to claim 25, wherein said outward portion is arcuate, and is provided adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame, and said outward portion extends in a longitudinal direction of said second frame, and wherein the depth of the outward portion is approximately 2.0-10.0 mm.

32. A method according to claims 25 or 30, wherein said first frame and second frame are coupled by bonding with a bonding material, a snap ring, a snap fitting or welding.

33. A toner container, for containing toner to be used for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member by developing means, usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge containing said photosensitive member and said developing means, said container comprising:

a toner supply opening for supplying the toner to said developing means;
a first inclined surface inclined downwardly at approximately 20-40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically, wherein said first inclined surface is downwardly inclined toward said toner supply opening in a direction crossing with said toner supply opening; and
a second inclined surface inclined downwardly at approximately 10-40 degrees relative to a vertical direction when said toner container is placed with the short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically, wherein said second inclined surface is disposed above said toner supply opening and is downwardly inclined toward said toner supply opening.

34. A container according to claim 33, further comprising a first frame and a second frame coupled with said first frame, wherein said toner supply opening and said second inclined surface are formed in said first frame, and wherein said second frame coupled with said first frame constitutes said first inclined surface.

35. A container according to claim 34, wherein said first frame has a stirring member mounting portion for mounting a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in said toner container, and said second frame has an outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member, and wherein the depth of said outward portion is approximately 2.0-10 mm.

36. A container according to claim 35, wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member, for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated.

37. A container according to claim 36, wherein said transmission member has a coupling having an end engageable with said stirring member and another end engageable with a coupling for receiving a driving force from a gear, and wherein said stirring member includes a metal rod.

38. A container according to claim 36, wherein said first frame has a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening, and wherein said toner filling opening is closed by a cap for hermetically sealing the filling opening.

39. A container according to claim 38, wherein said first frame has a connecting portion for connection with a developing frame supporting a developing roller of said developing means, in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening.

40. A container according to claims 34 or 39, wherein said first frame has a seal mounting portion for mounting a toner seal for openably sealing the toner supply opening, in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening.

41. A container according to claims 34 or 40, wherein said first frame has recesses, extending in the longitudinal direction of said first frame, for gripping said process cartridge, and wherein said recesses facilitate mounting and demounting of said process cartridge relative to the main assembly.

42. A container according to claim 35, wherein said outward portion is arcuate, and is provided adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame, and said outward portion extends in a longitudinal direction of said second frame.

43. A container according to claim 34, wherein said second frame has an outward portion that is arcuate and is provided adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame, and said outward portion extends in a longitudinal direction of said second frame, and the depth of the outward portion is approximately 2.0-10.0 mm.

44. A container according to claims 34 or 43, wherein said first frame and second frame are coupled by bonding with a bonding material, a snap ring, a snap fitting, or welding.

45. A container according to claim 34, wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, and wherein said first frame has a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening, wherein said toner filling opening is closed by a cap for hermetically sealing the toner filling opening, and wherein said first frame has a connecting portion for connection with a developing frame supporting a developing roller of said developing means, in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening.

46. A container according to claims 34 or 45, wherein said first frame has a seal mounting portion for mounting a toner seal for openably sealing the toner supply opening, in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening.

47. A container according to claim 46, wherein said first frame has recesses extending in the longitudinal direction of said first frame for gripping said process cartridge.

48. A container according to claim 33, further comprising a stirring member mounting portion for mounting a stirring member for stirring the toner in said toner container, wherein said toner container has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member, for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated.

49. A container according to claim 48, wherein said transmission member has a coupling having an end engageable with said stirring member and another end engageable with a coupling for receiving a driving force from a gear, and wherein said stirring member includes a metal rod.

50. A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
a developing member for developing a latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive member;
a toner container for containing toner to be used for developing the latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive member by said developing member, wherein said toner container includes a toner supply opening for supplying the toner to said developing member; a first inclined surface inclined downwardly at approximately 20-40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically, wherein said first inclined surface is downwardly inclined toward said toner supply opening in a direction crossing with said toner supply opening; a second inclined surface inclined downwardly at approximately 10-40 degrees relative to a vertical direction when said toner container is placed with the short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically, wherein said second inclined surface is disposed above said toner supply opening and is downwardly inclined toward said toner supply opening.

51. A process cartridge according to claim 50, further comprising a stirring member mounting portion for mounting a stirring member for stirring the toner in said toner container, wherein said toner container has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member, for transmitting a driving force from a main assembly of the image forming apparatus to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated.

52. A process cartridge according to claim 51, wherein said transmission member has a coupling having an end engaged with said stirring member and another end engageable with a coupling for receiving a driving force from a gear, and wherein said stirring member includes a metal rod.

53. A process cartridge according to claim 51, further comprising a first frame, wherein said first frame constitutes a part of said toner container and wherein said first frame has a toner filling opening for filling toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening, wherein said toner filling opening is closed by a cap for hermetically sealing the toner filling opening, and wherein said first frame has a connecting portion for connection with a developing frame supporting a developing roller of said developing member, in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening.

54. A process cartridge according to claim 50, further comprising a first frame, wherein said first frame constitutes a part of said toner container, and wherein said first frame has said toner supply opening therein and a seal mounting portion for mounting a toner seal for openably sealing the toner supply opening, in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening.

55. A process cartridge according to claim 50, further comprising a first frame, wherein said first frame constitutes a part of said toner container, and wherein said first frame has recesses, extending the longitudinal direction of said first frame, for gripping said process cartridge, and wherein said recesses facilitate mounting and demounting of said process cartridge relative to the main assembly.

56. A process cartridge according to claim 50, further comprising a first frame and a second frame, said first and second frames constituting a toner containing portion of said toner container, and wherein said second frame has an outward portion that is arcuate and is provided adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame, said outward portion extending in a longitudinal direction of said second frame, and wherein the depth of the outward portion is approximately 2.0-10.0 mm.

57. A process cartridge according to claim 56, wherein said first frame and second frame are coupled by bonding with a bonding material, a snap ring, a snap fitting, or welding.

58. A process cartridge according to claim 50, further comprising a charging member for charging said photosensitive member.

59. A process cartridge according to claims 50 or 58, further comprising a cleaning member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive member.

60. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, said apparatus comprising:

a mounting member for detachably mounting thereon a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
developing means for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive member;
a toner container for containing toner to be used for developing the latent image formed on said photosensitive member by said developing means, wherein said toner container includes a toner supply opening for supplying the toner to said developing means; a first inclined surface inclined downwardly at approximately 20-40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically, wherein said first inclined surface is downwardly inclined toward said toner supply opening in a direction crossing with said toner supply opening; a second inclined surface inclined downwardly at approximately 10-40 degrees relative to a vertical direction when said toner container is placed with the short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically, wherein said second inclined surface is disposed above said toner supply opening and is downwardly inclined toward said toner supply opening; and
feeding means for feeding the recording material.

61. An apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said image forming apparatus includes a laser beam printer.

62. A method of assembling a toner container, having a first frame having first and second inclined surfaces, for containing toner to be used for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member by developing means, usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge containing said photosensitive member and said developing means, comprising the steps of:

preparing the first frame having a toner supply opening for supplying the toner to said developing means, and the second inclined surface inclined downwardly at approximately 10-40 degrees relative to a vertical direction when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically, wherein said second inclined surface is disposed above said toner supply opening and is downwardly inclined toward said toner supply opening;
preparing a second frame; and
mounting a second frame to said first inclined surface wherein said first inclined surface is inclined downwardly at approximately 20-40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically, wherein said first inclined surface is downwardly inclined toward said toner supply opening in a direction crossing with said toner supply opening.

63. A method according to claim 62, wherein said photosensitive member is in the form of a drum.

64. A method according to claim 62, wherein said first inclined surface is a mounting surface for mounting thereto said second frame, and wherein said toner container is assembled by mounting said second frame to said mounting surface.

65. A method according to claims 62 or 64, wherein said first frame has a stirring member mounting portion for mounting a stirring member, for stirring the toner in said toner container, and wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member, for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated, and wherein said transmission member is mounted to said transmission opening.

66. A method according to claim 65, wherein said transmission member has a coupling having an end engageable with said stirring member and another end engageable with a coupling for receiving a driving force from a gear, wherein said stirring member includes a metal rod.

67. A method according to claim 65, wherein said first frame has a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening, wherein said toner filling opening is closed by a cap for hermetically sealing the toner filling opening after the toner is filled.

68. A method according to claim 67, wherein said first frame has a connecting portion for connection with a developing frame supporting a developing roller of said developing means, in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening, and wherein said first frame has a seal mounting portion for mounting a toner seal for openably sealing the toner supply opening, the toner seal being mounted to the seal mounting portion prior to filling the toner.

69. A method according to claim 65, wherein said second frame has an outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member, and wherein said outward portion is arcuate, and is provided adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame, and said outward portion extends in a longitudinal direction of said second frame, and wherein the depth of the outward projection is approximately 2.0-10.0 mm.

70. A method according to claims 65 or 68, wherein said first frame and second frame are coupled by bonding with a bonding material, a snap ring, a snap fitting, or welding.

71. A toner container, for containing toner to be used for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum by a developing roller for feeding the toner to said photosensitive drum, usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge containing said photosensitive drum and said developing roller, said toner container comprising:

a first frame having an elongated toner supply opening for supplying the toner to said developing roller and a mounting portion for rotatably mounting a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in said toner container, wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member, for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated, and a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening; and
a second frame coupled with said first frame and having an elongated outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member mounted to said mounting portion, wherein said outward portion is extended in a longitudinal direction of said second frame adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame,
wherein said toner container is formed by coupling said first frame and second frame.

72. A container according to claim 71, wherein said first frame has a mounting surface for mounting thereto said second frame, said mounting surface being inclined at approximately 20-40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically.

73. A container according to claims 71 or 72, wherein said transmission member has a coupling having an end engageable with said stirring member and another end engageable with a coupling for receiving a driving force from a gear, wherein said stirring member includes a metal rod.

74. A container according to claims 71 or 73, wherein said first frame has recesses extending in the longitudinal direction of said first frame for gripping said process cartridge.

75. A container according to claims 71 or 74, wherein said outward portion is arcuate, and wherein the depth of the outward portion is approximately 2.0-10.0 mm.

76. A container according to claims 71 or 75, wherein said first frame and second frame are coupled by bonding with a bonding material, a snap ring, a snap fitting, or welding.

77. A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge, comprising:

an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
a charging member, contacted to said photosensitive drum, for charging said photosensitive drum;
a cleaning blade, contacted to said photosensitive drum, for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
a developing roller for feeding toner to said photosensitive drum to develop a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
a toner container for containing the toner to be used by said developing roller to develop the latent image, wherein said toner container includes a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in said toner container; a first frame having an elongated toner supply opening for supplying toner to said developing roller and a mounting portion for rotatably mounting said stirring member, wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member, for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated, and a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening; and a second frame coupled with said first frame and having an elongated outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member, wherein said outward portion extends in a longitudinal direction of said second frame adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame; wherein said toner container is formed by coupling said first frame and second frame; and
a gear train for transmitting a driving force to said transmission member from said main assembly when said process cartridge is mounted to said image forming apparatus.

78. A process cartridge according to claim 77, wherein said transmission member has a coupling having an end engaged with said stirring member and another end engaged with a coupling for receiving a driving force from a gear, and wherein said stirring member includes a metal rod.

79. A process cartridge according to claims 77 or 78, wherein said first frame has a connecting portion for connection with a developing frame supporting said developing roller, in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening.

80. A process cartridge according to claims 77 or 79, wherein said first frame has a seal mounting portion for mounting a toner seal for openably sealing the toner supply opening, in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening.

81. A process cartridge according to claims 77 or 80, wherein said first frame has recesses, extending in the longitudinal direction of said first frame, for gripping said process cartridge, and wherein said recesses facilitate mounting and demounting of said process cartridge relative to the main assembly.

82. A process cartridge according to claims 77 or 81, wherein said first frame and second frame are coupled by bonding with a bonding material, a snap ring, a snap fitting, or welding.

83. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for forming an image on a recording material, having a main assembly to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, said apparatus comprising:

a mounting member for mounting thereon a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a charging member, contacted to said photosensitive drum, for charging said photosensitive drum; a cleaning blade, contacting said photosensitive drum, for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum; a developing roller for feeding toner to said photosensitive drum to develop a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum; a toner container for containing the toner to be used by said developing roller to develop the latent image, wherein said toner container includes a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in said toner container, a first frame having an elongated toner supply opening for supplying the toner to said developing roller and a mounting portion rotatably mounting said stirring member, wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member, for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated, and a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening; and a second frame coupled with said first frame and having an elongated outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member, wherein said outward portion extends in a longitudinal direction of said second frame adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame; wherein said toner container is formed by coupling said first frame and second frame; and a gear train for transmitting a driving force to said transmission member from said main assembly when said process cartridge is mounted to said image forming apparatus;
a gear engageable with a gear of said gear train of said process cartridge mounted to said mounting member to transmit the driving force; and
a feeding member rotatable to feed a recording material.

84. A method of assembling a toner container for containing toner to be used for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum by a developing roller for feeding the toner to said photosensitive drum, usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge containing said photosensitive member and said developing roller, comprising the steps of:

preparing a first frame having an elongated toner supply opening, for supplying the toner to said developing roller, and a mounting portion for rotatably mounting a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in said toner container, wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated, and a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening;
preparing a second frame having an elongated outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member, wherein said outward portion extends in a longitudinal direction of said second frame adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame;
coupling said first frame with said second frame to assemble said toner container; and
filling the toner through said toner filling opening.

85. A method according to claim 84, wherein said first frame and second frame are coupled by bonding with a bonding material, a snap ring, a snap fitting, or welding.

86. A toner container for containing toner to be used for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum by a developing roller for feeding the toner to said photosensitive drum, usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge containing said photosensitive drum and said developing roller, said container comprising:

a first frame having an elongated toner supply opening for supplying the toner to said developing roller and a mounting portion for rotatably mounting a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in said toner container, wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated, and a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening, and said first frame having an inclined surface inclined at approximately 10-40 degrees relative to a vertical line when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically; and
a second frame coupled with said first frame and having an elongated outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member mounted to said mounting portion, wherein said outward portion extends in a longitudinal direction of said second frame adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame,
wherein said toner container is formed by coupling said first frame and second frame so that said second frame is inclined downwardly at approximately 20-40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically.

87. A container according to claim 86, wherein said transmission member has a coupling having an end engageable with said stirring member and another end engageable with a coupling for receiving a driving force from a gear, wherein said stirring member includes a metal rod.

88. A container according to claims 86 or 87, wherein said first frame has recesses extending in the longitudinal direction of said first frame for gripping said process cartridge, and wherein said recesses facilitate mounting and demounting of said process cartridge relative to the main assembly.

89. A container according to claims 86 or 88, wherein said first frame and second frame are coupled by bonding with a bonding material, a snap ring, a snap fitting, or welding.

90. A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
a charging member, contacted to said photosensitive drum, for charging said photosensitive drum;
a cleaning blade, contacted to said photosensitive drum, for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
a developing roller for feeding toner to said photosensitive drum to develop a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
a toner container for containing the toner to be used by said developing roller to develop the latent image, wherein said toner container includes a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in said toner container, a first frame having an elongated toner supply opening for supplying toner to said developing roller and a mounting portion rotatably mounting said rotatable stirring member, wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated, and a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening, said first frame having an inclined surface inclined at approximately 10-40 degrees relative to a vertical line when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically; said toner container further including a second frame coupled with said first frame and having an elongated outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member, wherein said outward portion extends in a longitudinal direction of said second frame adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame; wherein said toner container is formed by coupling said first frame and second frame so that said second frame is inclined downwardly at approximately 20-40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane when said toner container is placed with the short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically; and
a gear train for transmitting a driving force to said transmission member from said main assembly when said process cartridge is mounted to said image forming apparatus.

91. A process cartridge according to claim 90, wherein said transmission member has a coupling having an end engaged with said stirring member and another end engaged with a coupling for receiving a driving force from a gear, wherein said stirring member includes a metal rod.

92. A process cartridge according to claims 90 or 91, wherein said first frame has a connecting portion for connection with a developing frame supporting said developing roller, in a same direction of said first frame as a surface having said toner supply opening.

93. A process cartridge according to claims 90 or 92, wherein said first frame has a seal mounting portion for mounting a toner seal for openably sealing the toner supply opening, in a same direction as a surface of said first frame having said toner supply opening.

94. A process cartridge according to claims 90 or 93, wherein said first frame has recesses, extending in the longitudinal direction of said first frame, for gripping said process cartridge, and wherein said recesses facilitate mounting and demounting of said process cartridge relative to the main assembly.

95. A process cartridge according to claims 90 or 94, wherein said first frame and second frame are coupled by bonding with a bonding material, a snap ring, a snap fitting, or welding.

96. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for forming an image on a recording material, having a main assembly to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, said apparatus comprising:

a mounting member for detachably mounting thereon a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a charging member, contacting said photosensitive drum, for charging said photosensitive drum; a cleaning blade, contacting said photosensitive drum, for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum; a developing roller for feeding toner to said photosensitive drum to develop a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum; a toner container for containing the toner to be used by said developing roller to develop the latent image, wherein said toner container includes a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in said toner container, a first frame having an elongated toner supply opening for supplying the toner to said developing roller and a mounting portion rotatably mounting said rotatable stirring member, wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated, and a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening, said first frame having an inclined surface inclined at approximately 10-40 degrees relative to a vertical line when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically; and a second frame coupled with said first frame and having an elongated outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member, wherein said outward portion extends in a longitudinal direction of said second frame adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame; wherein said toner container is formed by coupling said first frame and second frame so that said second frame is inclined downwardly at approximately 20-40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane when said toner container is placed with the short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically; and a gear train for transmitting a driving force to said transmission member from said main assembly when said process cartridge is mounted to said image forming apparatus;
a gear engageable with a gear of said gear train of said process cartridge mounted to said mounting member to transmit the driving force; and
a feeding member rotatable to feed a recording material.

97. A method according to claim 96, wherein said first frame and second frame are coupled by bonding with a bonding material, a snap ring, a snap fitting, or welding.

98. A method of assembling a toner container for containing toner to be used for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum by a developing roller for feeding the toner to said photosensitive drum, usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge containing said photosensitive drum and said developing roller, comprising the steps of:

preparing a first frame having an elongated toner supply opening for supplying the toner to said developing roller and a mounting portion for rotatably mounting a rotatable stirring member for stirring the toner contained in said toner container, wherein said first frame has, at a longitudinal end, a transmission opening, through which a transmission member for transmitting a driving force from said main assembly to said stirring member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, is penetrated, and a toner filling opening for filling the toner into said container at the same longitudinal end as said transmission opening, said first frame having an inclined surface inclined at approximately 10-40 degrees relative to a vertical line when said toner container is placed with a short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically;
preparing a second frame having an elongated outward portion provided without interfering with a rotational region of said stirring member, wherein said projection extends in a longitudinal direction of said second frame adjacent said toner supply opening in a short side direction of said second frame;
coupling said first frame and second frame so that said second frame is inclined downwardly at approximately 20-40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane when said toner container is placed with the short side of said toner supply opening extending vertically; and
filling the toner through said toner filling opening.
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Patent History
Patent number: 5878309
Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 7, 1997
Date of Patent: Mar 2, 1999
Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo)
Inventors: Yoshiya Nomura (Tokyo), Kanji Yokomori (Yokohama), Shigeo Miyabe (Yokohama)
Primary Examiner: Matthew S. Smith
Law Firm: Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto
Application Number: 8/944,985
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Process Cartridge Unit (399/111); Having Subunit Separation (399/113); Developing Unit (399/119)
International Classification: G03G 1500;